I started my career as a Performance QA Engineer in a game development company. In Performance QA Team we were developing all kind of useful internal tools: log collectors and analyzers, reporting system, test management system, but I left the company because I wanted to be a "real" developer who's shipping a "real" product for end users. So I moved to web-development.
I've read "Code Complete", "Clean Code", "Extreme Programming Explained" and thought that "real" developers solve interesting problems and write maintainable and high-quality code covered by unit tests. I was wrong.
"Real" development and "real" products are crap. When you develop an internal tool you do it because of necessity. In contrast, when you develop a new feature for a "real" product you do it because of a manager's whim. After two years in web development and after reading HN I conclude that "real" development almost always goes together with inadequate deadlines, shitty requirements, and high level of stress. I'm one step away from burning out.
I want to change something in my career. Should I move back to Automation QA/Programming of Internal Tools? Have you had the same problem in your career and what decisions have you made?
I've read "Code Complete", "Clean Code", "Extreme Programming Explained" and thought that "real" developers solve interesting problems and write maintainable and high-quality code covered by unit tests. I was wrong.
"Real" development and "real" products are crap. When you develop an internal tool you do it because of necessity. In contrast, when you develop a new feature for a "real" product you do it because of a manager's whim. After two years in web development and after reading HN I conclude that "real" development almost always goes together with inadequate deadlines, shitty requirements, and high level of stress. I'm one step away from burning out.
I want to change something in my career. Should I move back to Automation QA/Programming of Internal Tools? Have you had the same problem in your career and what decisions have you made?